Is Your Dog Resource Guarding You?

We hear this problem from parents frequently, their dog is resource guarding them. It shows up in the form of questions like:

• “My dog can be leash reactive”

• “My dog does not like when I pet other dogs”

• “My dog gets stiff when my partner approaches”

• “My dog gets stiff or barks when other dogs approach”

This happens because your dog perceives access to you as a limited, and valuable resource and can become anxious about losing it not that they are defending you from a threat. This is the part that is often misunderstood. It can look like they are being protective but in fact they are often acting out of fear. This can often show up when the dog feels closest to you, when you are petting them, when they are sitting in your lap etc.

What can I do to fix this?

While all dogs are different, and your results may vary, we will try to establish principals that allow you to train your dog to understand that you are not a resource for them to protect. Practical ways for you to do this daily are to avoid things like passively petting your dog, or petting them when they are demanding attention from you. Instead, actively pet your dog and engage with them, request that they do a trick before receiving praise (sit, touch, spin, etc). These tips are very practical and easy to implement but take time to learn and establish so be patient! If you are looking for a daycare with experience in training and positive reinforcement, inquire about enrolling in daycare with Tefani & So.